Abstract: Antigens are provided which are derived from the enterically transmitted non-A/non-B viral hepatitis agent, known as hepatitis E virus (HEV). The HEV antigens and in particular, soluble species of the capsid protein encoded by the carboxy terminal region of HEV ORF2, are immunoreactive with sera from individuals infected with HEV. In one embodiment, these antigens may be produced by a baculovirus expression vector and form virus-like particles (VLPs). The antigens are useful as diagnostic reagents in diagnostic methods and kits for determining infection of an individual with HEV. The antigens are also useful in vaccine compositions effective in methods for preventing HEV infection.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to the field of immunology, in particular that of antibodies and antibody productions. More specifically, this invention relates to bispecific antibodies, the hybrid hybridomas which produce them, the parent hybridomas, the production and selection of the hybridomas and hybrid hybridomas, and the purification of the bispecific antibodies. Specific examples relate to bispecific monoclonal antibodies which recognize both the human multi-drug resistance antigen, P-glycoprotein and human Fc.gamma. receptor III (hFc.gamma.RIII. These bispecific antibodies are useful in killing cancer cells.

Abstract: Viral proteins derived from an enterically transmitted non-A/non-B viral hepatitis agent (HEV) are disclosed. In one embodiment, the protein is immunologically reactive with antibodies present in individuals infected with the viral hepatitis agent. This protein is useful in a diagnostic method for detecting infection by the enterically transmitted agent. Specific epitopes have been identified that are reactive with sera of individual infected with different strains of HEV. Also disclosed are DNA probes derived from a cloned sequence of the viral agent. These probes are useful for identifying and sequencing the entire viral agent and for assaying the presence of the viral agent in an infected sample, by using probe-specific amplification of virus-derived DNA fragments.

Abstract: A method for sampling of a substance from a subject is provided, which comprises placing one or more sampling chambers on a collection site on a tissue surface on the subject; conducting electric current through the tissue to extract a substance from the subject in a first direction in one or more sampling chambers that functions alternatively as both an anode and cathode during the course of the method; reversing the polarity to cause direct current to flow in second direction opposite the first direction; and analyzing the sampling chamber or chambers for the concentration of a substance or a substance metabolite. There is also provided a device for sampling of a substance from an organism on continuously or intermittently using alternating polarity method based on the application of low intensity electric fields of alternating polarity across the skin (iontophoresis) to enhance the transport of a substance (such as glucose, lactic acid, pyruvic acid, and the like) from body tissues to a sampling chamber.

Abstract: This invention provides for the secretion of heterologous protein in plant systems. In particular, this invention provides for the production of heterologous proteins by malting of monocot plant seeds. The heterologous genes are expressed during germination of the seeds and isolated from a malt. Also disclosed are chimeric genes, vectors and methods relating to the present invention. Protein production by cell culture techniques is also described.

Abstract: A method for measuring the concentration of glucose diffused from a source to a working electrode which assembly includes a scavenging electrode is disclosed. The electrode of the invention is comprised of 1) a working electrode; 2) a scavenging electrode; 3) an electroosmotic electrode; and 4) a electrically insulating gap defined by adjacent edges of 1) and 2) and electrically isolating 1) and 2). The scavenging electrode substantially reduces or eliminates "edge-effects" or error in signal transported to the working electrode via a path which includes a radial vector component, i.e., eliminates chemical signal other than that which moves to the catalytic surface of the working electrode via a path which is substantially perpendicular to catalytic surface of the working electrode.

Abstract: A method of transient transfection of obligate intracellular parasites is described. This method is exploited to develop a system for stable transformation utilizing selectable genes. For example, introduction of the chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) gene fused to Toxoplasma flanking sequences followed by chloramphenicol selection results in parasites stably expressing CAT. DNA hybridization analysis indicated that the CAT gene had inserted via homologous recombination.

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of a double-stranded target nucleic acid sequence contained in fixed cells or cell structures is provided. The method includes the steps of forming the fixed cells or cell structures by fixing cells or cell structures so as to allow a nucleic acid probe to enter, and forming a probe/RecA complex in which a single-stranded probe and RecA protein are stably bound to each other. The probe/RecA complex is allowed to react with the double-stranded target nucleic acid sequence to bind thereto under conditions in which the double-stranded target nucleic acid sequence is not denatured, and by detecting the RecA protein included in the probe/RecA complex, the presence of the double-stranded target nucleic acid sequence is detected.The invention provides a diagnostic method by which the position of a specific gene or its regulatory region in a chromosome and the presence of a nucleic acid sequence derived from virus can be measured or visualized with high sensitivity and with ease.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrode assembly for use in a transdermal analyte sensor operating in an alternating polarity mode in which a single electrode element provides both the counter electrode and iontophoretic electrode functions. By combining both the functions of the iontophoretic and counter electrode, the surface area of the electrode with respect to each function may be made larger. In turn this increases the ability of the electrode to deliver the required electrical field over a larger area when operating in the iontophoretic mode as well as increasing the ability of the counter electrode to compensate for the larger sensing electrode facilitated by this new design.

Abstract: Novel HTLV-I and HTLV-II peptide antigens are disclosed for use in diagnostics assays for screening and confirming HTLV-I and HTLV-II antisera. The peptides are derived from analogous regions of HTLV-I and HTLV-II gp46 envelop proteins, and are differentiated by their immunoreactivity with an HTLV-II specific monoclonal antibody and by HTLV-I and HTLV-II antisera. The peptides are also useful in vaccine compositions.

Abstract: A large granular lymphocyte (LGL) leukemia related virus has been isolated and characterized from patients having LGL leukemia. The virus appears to be related to the family of retroviruses including HTLV-I, HTLV-I and Bovine Leukemia Virus. Nucleic acid sequences of the virus are presented.

Abstract: This invention provides for the secretion of heterologous protein in plant systems. In particular, this invention provides for the production of heterologous proteins by malting of monocot plant seeds. The heterologous genes are expressed during germination of the seeds and isolated from a malt. Also disclosed are chimeric genes, vectors and methods relating to the present invention. Protein production by cell culture techniques is also described.

Abstract: Immunogenic peptides derived from the ORF1, ORF2, and ORF3 regions of hepatitis E virus (HEV), diagnostic reagents containing the peptide antigens, vaccine compositions containing the antigens, and antibodies which are immunoreactive with the antigens are disclosed.

Abstract: Polypeptide antigens are disclosed which are immunoreactive with sera from individuals having a non-A, non-B, non-C, non-D, non-E Hepatitis, herein designated Hepatitis G Virus (HGV). Corresponding genomic-fragment clones containing polynucleotides encoding the open reading frame sequences for the antigenic polypeptides are taught. The antigens are useful in diagnostic methods for detecting the presence of HGV in test subjects. The antigens are also useful in vaccine and antibody preparations. In addition, the entire coding sequences of two HGV isolates are disclosed. Methods are presented for nucleic acid-based detection of HGV in samples and also methods for the isolation of further genomic sequences corresponding to HGV.

Abstract: Novel HTLV-I and HTLV-II peptide antigens are disclosed for use in diagnostics assays for screening and confirming HTLV-I and HTLV-II antisera. The peptides are derived from analogous regions of HTLV-I and HTLV-II gp46 envelope proteins, and are differentiated by their immunoreactivity with an HTLV-II specific monoclonal antibody and by HTLV-I and HTLV-II antisera. The peptides are also useful in vaccine compositions.

Abstract: The present invention defines a DNA:protein-binding assay useful for screening libraries of synthetic or biological compounds for their ability to bind DNA test sequences. The assay is versatile in that any number of test sequences can be tested by placing the test sequence adjacent to a defined protein binding screening sequence. Binding of molecules to these test sequence changes the binding characteristics of the protein molecule to its cognate binding sequence. When such a molecule binds the test sequence the equilibrium of the DNA:protein complexes is disturbed, generating changes in the concentration of free DNA probe. Numerous exemplary target test sequences (SEQ ID NO:1 to SEQ ID NO:600) are set forth. The assay of the present invention is also useful to characterize the preferred binding sequences of any selected DNA-binding molecule.

Abstract: The present invention relates to chimeric genes having (i) a DNA sequence encoding a product that is effective to reduce ethylene biosynthesis in fruit from the plant, and (ii) a promoter whose expression is induced during fruit ripening or by ethylene synthesis by the fruit, where the DNA sequence is heterologous to the promoter and the DNA sequence is operably linked to the promoter to enable expression of the product. The invention describes vectors and transgenic plants, vegetables, flowers and fruits carrying the chimeric gene, as well as methods related thereto.

Abstract: Polypeptide antigens are disclosed which are immunoreactive with sera from individuals infected with non-A, non-B, non-C, non-D, non-E hepatitis. Also disclosed are corresponding genomic-fragment clones containing polynucleotides encoding the open reading frame sequences for the antigenic polypeptides. The antigens are useful in diagnostic methods for detecting the presence of N-(ABCDE) hepatitis agent infection in primates. The antigens are also useful in vaccine and antibody preparations. Methods are presented for the isolation of entire genomes corresponding to the N-(ABCDE) hepatitis agents.

Abstract: Polypeptide antigens are disclosed which are immunoreactive with sera from individuals having a non-A, non-B, non-C, non-D, non-E Hepatitis, herein designated Hepatitis G Virus (HGV). Corresponding genomic-fragment clones containing polynucleotides encoding the open reading frame sequences for the antigenic polypeptides are taught. The antigens are useful in diagnostic methods for detecting the presence of HGV in test subjects. The antigens are also useful in vaccine and antibody preparations. In addition, the entire coding sequences of two HGV isolates are disclosed. Methods are presented for nucleic acid-based detection of HGV in samples and also methods for the isolation of further genomic sequences corresponding to HGV.

Abstract: Polypeptide antigens are disclosed which are immunoreactive with sera from individuals having a non-A, non-B, non-C, non-D, non-E Hepatitis, herein designated Hepatitis G Virus (HGV). Corresponding genomic-fragment clones containing polynucleotides encoding the open reading frame sequences for the antigenic polypeptides are taught. The antigens are useful in diagnostic methods for detecting the presence of HGV in test subjects. The antigens are also useful in vaccine and antibody preparations. In addition, the entire coding sequences of two HGV isolates are disclosed. Methods are presented for nucleic acid-based detection of HGV in samples and also methods for the isolation of further genomic sequences corresponding to HGV.